ABOUT
Advanced Advocacy is an independent advocacy and public affairs firm that specializes in issue campaigns, coalition management, third parties and alliances and grassroots activation. We design and execute winning integrated strategies at the state, national, and international levels.
Andrew Kovalcin
Principal
Andrew Kovalcin is a seasoned issue campaign professional with 20 years of experience representing Fortune 500 companies, including the world's largest business association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His diverse set of skills and experience come from his blend of work in Congress, agencies and trade associations and with state legislatures. Kovalcin has managed global coalitions, built national & international strategic alliance networks, acted as a national spokesperson, and designed and implemented multifaceted issue advocacy campaigns.
Most recently Kovalcin was the Senior Director of Advocacy and External Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he led and managed a major division's effort to integrate government and public affairs. While at the Chamber he directly represented over 35 diverse companies including technology, software, bio/pharmaceuticals, luxury brands, consumer goods, and the film and recording industries.
He developed and implemented comprehensive strategies and messaging to promote issues related to technology, healthcare, innovation, legal reform, and intellectual property. His data-driven approach has included identifying new and creative approaches to delivering messages to various audiences around the country and globe and ensuring that these messages echo back to Washington. Kovalcin has extensive experience engaging and activating advocacy organizations, think tanks, academics, policy experts, and grassroots leaders.
His experience includes working at the Republican National Committee for a Gubernatorial GOTV effort and serving as a professional staff member in the office of Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL). Previously he worked at DCI Group, a public affairs firm specializing in using a political campaign style to develop and execute strategic lobbying campaigns. Kovalcin has also established the North Carolina chapter of a national healthcare coalition promoting consumer protections, and managed a North Carolina State House of Representatives campaign.
Pasquale "Pat" DiFrancesco
Vice President
Pat is an experienced public affairs professional who works with academics and organizations to develop and communicate policy ideas on complex issues, including energy, healthcare, trade, regulation, and technology and innovation. Pat has dedicated his career to bringing enthusiasm and smart solutions to help the individuals and organizations he works with advance their missions and objectives.
Pat’s diverse background and skills involve working across the political spectrum with non-profits, corporations, industry associations, presidential foundations, and state legislatures. Among his experiences, Pat has grown and managed a corporate fundraising portfolio, worked on federal and state policy coalitions, executed an advocacy campaign, and launched an academic internship program in Washington, DC.
Most recently, Pat served as the manager of corporate and external relations at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University—the world's premier university source for market-oriented research and ideas. In these roles, he worked with academic scholars to build and implement innovative strategies to engage and educate lawmakers and policy practitioners about their research.
Prior to this experience, Pat worked at Advanced Energy Economy with a core team to design and execute a bi-partisan, multi-state gubernatorial and legislative education campaign during the 2018 elections. He has also previously worked for The Fund for American Studies, Babst Calland - Attorneys at Law, and former Pennsylvania Democratic Whip, Michael Hanna.
Pat holds M.A. in Economics from George Mason University and B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Allegheny College. He is a 2018 Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) fellow, a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s (AEI) Leadership Network, and serves on The Fund for American Studies Alumni Engagement Committee. As an undergraduate student, Pat was a Bonner AmeriCorps Scholar, completing over 1,700 hours of community service focused on civic and community engagement and economic empowerment. He’s a Pittsburgh native and classic country music fan.
PARTNERSHIPS
We are proud to partner with Central Union Mission through our Annual September Suit Drive to provide professional business attire to those in need. Central Union Mission serves the homeless, families living
in poverty, children from at-risk neighborhoods and the growing Hispanic population throughout
the Washington Metropolitan Area. To support or learn more about
Central Union Mission visit www.missiondc.org.
To donate your gently used suit to someone in need contact Andrew@Advanced-Advocacy.com.
